The Sun. — London, England, 1864-02-25 00:00:00

CONEY MARKET ANT) CO I rIIIII4IIWIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, TWELVE O'CLOCK. ALTERATION IN THE BANK RATE. A r eduction of 1 per cent. has just been announced is t he minimum ra t e o f di scoun t o f the Bank of 1 : a ,t l d. The movement was fully expected t. ti "ing to the tendency of monetary affairs for some me Past, and the improvement which is reasonably ot PP°sed to ha ve t a k en p l ace i n the position of the stationalappear establi s h ment , Th e re t ur n, which will this afternoon, will no doubt show that the s e ßerve of notes, the stock of bullion, and the other b e , euri ties warrant the relaxation, and the general es Pects of th e mar k e t seem to justify the idea that farther concessi ons w ill b e speedily adopted. For terns d ays past the mercantile community have been e a i r ti atiog first-class paper at 61 per cent., but the r ecce betw ean t hi s ra t e an d the lowest charge at ' the Bank of E ng l an d must have excluded t h dills l atter from active competition for the 8 brought forward for negotiation. All the id ! e rse infl uences w hi c h were p r oductive of the t o t ?gent policy which carried the price of money ° Per cent, have disappeared. T ne resources o f the Bank of France have improved, gold is no longer icircluired for transmission to Paris or silver in such ha ve quantiti es f or s hi pmen t t o I n dia, the exchanges : e all bec ome f avoura bl e , an d there is no pres 7 h r e i fo r discounts, and bankers and brokers have A ' ar g e r Supplies than they are enabled to employ. in Prospectus has been issued of the Imperial t4 ti h ne isi Company, with a capital of £2, 000 , 000 , alf of which amount is to be first subscribed of c a t , ares of £5O. The objects of this company are , T —nr se, identi ca l w ith similar existing companies. Ita e directory i s com p o s e d of gentlemen of high ridin g in the commercial world. Iste & Pro spectus has also been issued of the general rua tional Ag Company with a capital of £ l O-, o ' ° ° 6 (half to enc be y subscribed , firs), in. shares of e tch ' "to undertake financial credit, agency, and A "Re operations in Eogland and France. c Prospectus h as b e en issued of the Gellivara 4 rn— P a nY, with a capital of £500,000, in shares of 0 l er The object i s t o p urc hase an estate of 1, 200 , 000 tares in Sweden, containing large and productiv e pant/ iron ore, extensive forests of pine , and a p e , l°ll of agricultural land, besides saw - mills, fur of-teB) a Shipb u ildi ng yar d, &c : The development , t 'us property, which is to be bought for £225,000, p o en : 4e s a railw a y o f a b o ut 60 miles for the trans larr-, of the iron ore to the furnaces and shipping ►t Wo a nd this (including also the construction of dish will cost £232,000, towards which the Il le '`" s h Government contribute £48, 000 . Pending liiesrlstruction of the railway and canals, which tjec uPy three years, the vendors of the property kh or e . rt ake that if the receipts of the company fall ti er : o f 6 per cent. they will make up any defi teiti-eY• About four years back a plan was enter for : a for this undertaking, but it was brought Iv ot .a , tel in a less practical shape, and the period I ,l'ess favourable than at present. 4 01 : 1 .e prospectus of the English, Irish, and Foreign c 5l 11 1° R Stock Company will be found in another 414, 14 , ° of The Sun, the object of the company being h'lroduce imported patented inventions for rail tleYttWaggons, buffer springs, and other improve -4(6 -8 (bY which the cost of repairs will be great l y Ita -eed ) in the construction of waggons, &a., Szo.; 4 41 , 4 ' ,80 for b u ildi ng , sale, or letting on lease, such p k ,;! av ed waggon s to the different railway com fort,le;s• The idea is a good one, and the gentlemen itt e — , l 4l g the directory are in every way well calcu " to carry the company into active operation. tp r°4lis es of large contracts have already been .teivtd. Two O'CLOCK. Ve r Y little busines3 is reported in the discount ktk et, ki l Ttl e discount firms have reduced the inte res t t he y k r e"4 on deposits to 41 per cent. on call, and to 5 ;ant at seven days' notice. ot tk ile ro was a meeting today of the shareholders h " Oriental and General Marine Insurance Com thtl3', at which Mr. Elias Mocatta presided. The h` t °l l Was unanimously adopted, and interest at the 1 4 , 11 0 f £5 per cent, was ordered to be paid. The a( of v 63 935 lls., was ordered to be carried to ti t , • „,`t account. k ' 4 l at th e slightest variation has taken place in the L t ket for Console, which remain at the closing 71.10ns of yesterday, viz., 91! 1 for money, and l ow for the account. Had it not been for the ki: k ti og of the rate of discount some heaviness 0 4 ; 4 have been experienced, as there is an unfa- It ir t tlble f ee li ng re l a ti ve to politics. The New tOea and Reduced Annuitits are 91 Z 4 ; Ex lptiltter Bills have risen to 33. die. to par. ; and i ti e 5 per Cent s , are 1041 Q. l'e, t he Foreign Stock Market there has been V lc l ittle alt erat i on , an d b u siness is less active. 1 i4,, 1811 6 per Cents., 1862, are 691 ;• do. Canso ; Greek, 221 ; Spanish Passive, 341 ; er tificates, 131, 14; Portuguese, 471 481; and c I:oleder a t e L oan, 51 52. ~ t k ac tivity has prevailed in the Railway Sha r e 'tity , et to-day, en d prices have generally given k kv e Lancashire and Yorkshire and Midland ‘ 4eelin ed 10s., North Western 53,, South Th e ter4 l , ls3 ., and Metropolitan £2. I ta' Qtrrgn and Colonial undertakings exhibit t kil i e ial alteration as regards values. AAsir r and Miscellaneous Shares continue in r t elia: t i t l ' e st- London and Brazilian ha ve , ° a Propea 1 ° 58 1; Hindustan, China, and J a p an have " to 301 H• National Shipping Company ( )tt o I I ram, ;3 prem. ; Mauritius Credit , 1I- prem. ; n "Dancial, par 1 prem.; South Eastern A~ti : " .°4l Pany, 11 prem. ; and General In to th rt e 4 b l .. 4 , sency, 1 „ to 1 prem. qa ft "u•yearly meeting, today, of the Vic. tie° ~e ndo n Pos ed ) Dock Company, an amendment was '4l adjourning the meeting for one month, 1, 413 ° 4 1U - -ilit v p a committee to report upon the ad :tithe ° I Selling the property. During the six en ding December last 1, 137 ships , mea ,Nio,4 . * ,78 2 tons, entered the Victoria Docks, Is e , /6 k decrease of 124 ships, and 110,446 tons, Paredgill' with the same period in 1862. This t o N, cff l a a2counted for in the decrease in c 0 1.11% .11 % —(34 ` It ing to 177 ships, measuring 106,048 --- A I , 131ITISII FUNDS—ONE O'CLOCK. Dtt AN/f t ; b itt{ e le „,. _XT uNDs. A""' C onsols k . 't (1 —cee nnt, Mar e , ,,,. 3 eat. Reduced March 5 .. 911 1 B, 4l ttp i l r Cet, 9ll i M e u Per lO6/ r tes, q uer „Cent.,. Jan. 1873 rt 1111115, £l,OOO, 2; & 3 per Cent 3 dis par IttPbt k : a nd Stk, 4} per Ct., last hf.-yr 239 %IStoo_GOVERNNIENT SECURITIES. I,!tt o A Kt 10i per Cent., April 1871 — 'pt o reount — t i !tt c , /,, Pr Cent. July 1570 Ott ) ' ll taeed Paper, 7 l , per Cent .. 91k !t t,l ~ Per Cent., Jan. 1872 .. 1041 n ltto; un ndeZl,ool) p 1r , and 4 1 , et £l,OOO 7 dis 1 4 P l an a °IIE IGN FUNDS—ONE O'CLOCK. k t4 ltt o ,- Per Cent o ) 4' 4839 and 1859 Vltto lt4 7 Per t Cent lO3 4' 4 Se co nd Issue b i , t to At r C ent, 1824-5, ex 7 Coupons.. 0 .1 1 , 4 0 - o;_ount ‘,,S A 2Peus O tt c ount , t 7:!,,,, Z . Per Cent NI f' e nnt 1 b ttt" ..... serial 5 per Cent Oto A ''' Per Cent., 1853 t'!tt o i'econnt .. k k t ,tto 4,t: ei. Cent., 1856, '7, '9, '6O, 6•2,'3 ti, , eou lat 8 b itt:' 6 Per l, ,t , 6 Cent., 1822,'L St t. 1104 ,Per Cent, 1862 - 89 1 .,1tt„ per C ent i l 'yt o Ac count 52 btto A e w Deferred bltto p ec ount 4si li te a 4 c BAIVO .. . • 0 . Illi Nll A count 31 i I. b itt - cert. ... ... 4k o A.,• of Coup not funded — 11 t h i, c , -ottut l3 )?tto A ccount Cent. 1854 o!tto6 I ,!tt c , A P e r _ Cent. 1853 ,iiltto r count 7l 701 t,t, Ac Cent. 1862 izl'eeount to' C a 3 Per Cont. silo A Per Cent., 1862 I) I;'eount 59 . 'ltel l 21 i'"Idend 1 s on tae above payable iu Lena ,21. I) ' Per Cent., Ex. 12 Gail 0 4 , Ir l a II TWO O'CLOCK.. q te A Otley d 'l il ..! '''''CC:"lllt ....... # SHARE MARIO T S,--This clay, ORDINARY SIIARE AND STOLE 3. Paid. Closing Business Prio2. j clone. 8 EJ 81 9 85 67 120 121 6i 7i 37 39 16 17 04i 951 106 108 4S 19i 47 40 71 8 129 3) 136 537 134 136 95 97 C4i e 5 1111 112 72 74 104 106 ;9 4t 110 110} 09i 1001, 51i 521 109 110 130; 1301 li? 90 101 54 65 24 46 103 i IC4 58 59 911 02.1 125 130 16 26 p 77i 781 11 116 123 125 42, 44 98 10u 631 G 4 34 Z 6 C4f 65 100 102 61 91 ;8 39 9 10 c, 71 81 155 17.1 51 6 ai 41 SS 92 1101 10 1 091 ICB 71 1301 t Railways. ,!Bir., Wol., and Str. Val. Biythe and Tyne. Bristol and Exetei ... • Caledonian Cot k and Bandon Cornwall Do A gets no div Do. B tillfipc.pah•has been paid to B. Dublin & Belfast June. Dun.,Perth,&Ab. June. Edinburgh & Glasgow. Glasg. and S. Western. GreitEastern, Ord. stk Ditto A stock Ditto East Anglian at, GreatNorthof Scotland Great Northern Do A stock Do B do Gt. S. an .i W. of Ireland Great Western Do Str Val gua. stock Lancashire & Yorkshire London and B lackwal I Lon., Bright.,& S. Coast) Lon., Chat., and Dover Lon. & North Western ILon. & Scr.th Western IMan., Shet., & Lincoln. Maryport and Carlisle. Do shares.. Metropolitan Midland Do New . • Do Binning. & Derby Slid. Gt. W. of Ireland Do. i shares Mid Kort Do Cray Line North British Edin., Perth, & Dundee Nth. Eastern—Berwick Do, G.N.E. purchase Do Leeds Do York Do Carlisle Narth London Do New North StatTordshire N. and S. W. Junction Scottish Central Scot N. E., Aber. stoc Do Scot. Mid. stock Shrews. and Welchpoo, Shropshire Union South Devon.. ,South Eastern 'South Wales S. York. and River Dun Staines, Wok., an dWok. Stockton ez Darlington Do Do New, MC Tai[ Va1e..... Do B Do C Ulster Do Do Vale of Neath Victoria sta. and Pim Waterford do Kilkenny West Cornwall W. Hartlepool Har..tlt West Midland -Ckxiord Do Newport Uo Ilerefore, BRITISH POSSESSIONS. Railways iantio & St Lawrenct BOra,Baroda/cCentlmi Go. 6 per oent... Do. New Do. E. Shares Buffalo anu Lake Huron Do. Preferunoe Bullalo, Brant4Go driel p. et. bds. Aug. 1, 187'i Do. do. July 1, 187 00. do. June 1, 16:4, Cleutta.&S. E as tn ti Cape Town Dock Seri' Eastn. Bengal gn. 5 p. East Indian. gu. 5 p. c. Do. do. G Ext Do. do. 11 do. Grand Trunk of Canada Do. Ist Pref. Bonds.. Do. do. deterred.- Do. 2d Pret. Bonds.. Do. do. deferred.... Do. 3d Piet. stoolc . Do. do. deferred...::: Do. 4th I'ref. stock... Do. CIO. deferred...." Gt.lndtaPentn.gua.sp.o Do. gua. 5 p. Do. January, 1862 .. Gt. South.of India (Lim uaranteed 5 per oent. !Gt. W. ot Canada Shares F Do. New ..... Do. 6 p.o. '73 with't opt. Do. 5i p. o. do. '77-8.... In r'Ltan Branch Limited kadras, guar., 5 p. o. .. Do. 11 p. c. Extension De. 44 d 0........ Do. Fifth Extension. Melb.Corp. B p. c. Bnds. Melb. & Hobson's Bay. Do. 7 p. C edortg. Bds. Newßrunswick a. Candi, Claas A and B N. Rl.C'da3 po Ist it bdb Soinde Do. Delhi ci .' Do. do. •—• •• • • ~ Do. Punjaub o Do. Do. —•••• •• ! p t. Do. Indus. St. Flo.) 1 Paid. all Cidsitig Price. 04 -- 103 10i p I I ) p 10 51 Si 7 sj Ir,o (02 191 103 105 100 1(.4 105 P 19A 204 72 14 50 30 CO 61 5) 53 49 52 31 52 26 28 22 C 5 1031 104( r a I 1, 1021 103 t 9i 10 1► 10if; 92 04 85 87 P 1P 104 )93 96 93 02 96 all 100 (100 ' 100 2 all 1 160 k 100 2'i 1031 4} 58 60 8 K 82 t 4 102 103 112} 103 iP 1021 103 i 9.16.1 COLONIAL GOVERN Uan.(ior. 6 p.c.J ,Jul) 1877-S1 Do. 6 p. C. Feb. AL Aug. Do. 6 p. c. Mar. Az Sept. Do. p. C. Jan.&July. Do. 5 Inscribed stock Cape G. Hope. 6 p Do.Ap AL Oct. 188(, Do. 189( ,Do. Jan. & July, 1891.. Ceylon, N0v.1878, 6 p Mauritius 6 per cent .. Natal Gov. 6 per cont.. ov. We. J a.&J ul) iJo. 6 r. o.Ap. & Oct. N. S. W.Gov. 5 p c., isot Du. 5 p. e.,18/1 to 1871 Do. do., 1888 &u:+': : d h 'NOV Zealand 6 - -ce nt. [Nova Scotia . '",i ov. 6 p. c. 1875. Queer ;land Gcv. a p. c. 16. &us G6p.c.1878.& up.. ''Vio.Gov. 6 p.c. Ja.&July Do. 10 6 me. An.AcOnt.. MEN 100 100 100 100 100 T SECURITIES. 101 103 99 301 :02 104 8) al 8:1 01 106 1(8 108 110 110 112 108 109 111 11.1 106 108 If.B 110 101 103 99 100 99 10) 99 100 Les 1(0 103 105 10) 111 10 111 9) 891 not BRITISH MINES. 2 Uambrian Consol, Gold 1 J id I ulifford Amalgamated 36 17 355 Devon G. Cone. ‘ "ravist , 1 57 0 680 East Bassett (Illoganl 30 65 70 East Clogau Gold Ltd East Caradon ...... 1.14. t! 29 30 3/ i!.:ast Cam Brea... 3.4.0 65 7 i 4. W'l Russel (Tavistk.) . 8 9.0 45 41 IGam..kSt.Aubyn(Gwen., Ai 10 11 -- !Great South Tolgus 17s 4 40 !!.i. Wheal Vor(lielston, 40 21 24 !Grenville 'l.lcrc.d's-Foot 5 37 Ilingston Downs i.ady Bert in 0 2 .0 1:55 4 4317 Margaret (tiny Lelant O 17 19 arke Valley.. 4 Ilyndy Iron Ore (Lim ; 25 15 1 d New Setun 194 8 i 95 -- North Downs ll 25 N.W11•1 liaseet(llloviu, 3.1.0 2 25 North Wheal Crotty .. 2.6.9 5 55 l'ar Conaols(st. Blaze); Providenoe(Uny Lelnt.) 10.6.7 41 46 South Caradon(SLCleer • 15 440 160 S. earn Brea (Illogan).. - IS.Wheal Fran. (Mogan; 18.18.0 85 60 Stray Park ramarSilv,t Lead Min - Croft 'd P 5 201 West Basset (Illogan) l5 11 12 W CI radon (Liskeard) 5 21 23 West Seton Wheal Basset (Illogan) 55 190 2JO Wheal Buller(liedruth) 10 875 925 Wheal Kitty (13.Lclant) 2.0.6 38 40 WhealLudeott --Wheal MaryAnn( s llenj 8 135 115 Wheal seton 585 175 185 181 VithealTreiawney (Lis.) 7 23 24 --Wheal Union 1 3.17 I 25 2f PREFERENCE S Great Western Orig. 43 per cent. pf., 98 North Eastern, Cons. pref., 43 per cent. rd., 103 ARES. PREFEIIENCE SHARES AND STOCKS. London, Chatham, &C., Metrop. Ext., B 6 per cent., 1601 FOREIGN RAILWAYS. Belgian Eastern Junction, 1 Ottoman (Smyrna to Aidm), 111 Ban Paulo gua. 7 per cent., 8h Ditto (all), 21 201 FOREIGN MITES: Linares, lim., 64 Panulcillo Copper, lim., Pontgiband Silver, Lead Min. and Smelting, 7 Port Philip, li St. John del Hey (lira.), 50 • United Mexican (1111 P, 7 DOCKS. East and West India, 141 JOINT-STOCK BANKS.: Anglo Austrian, 6 Bank of Egypt, 26 Brazilian and Portuguese, lira., 8 British and American Exchange (Ihm), 181 Chartered Bank of British Columbia, Ii Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China, 44 Continental, lim., In 6 English and Swedish, Um., 7, Hindustan, china, and Japan (Urn.), 30} Imperial Ottoman, 18/ London and Brazilian (lira.), 581 London, Buenos Ayres, and River Plate, 511 1 London Chartered Bank of Australia, 261 London and Colonial (lim.), 7/ London and Comity, 58} London and Westminster, SO Scinde, Punjaub. and Delhi, lim., 71 Standard of British South Africa (lim/ 23 I Union of Australia, 55 Union of London, 441 MISCELLANEOUS. Bombay Gas. limited, 4 Commercial Union (insurance), 10,193 Contract Corporation, lint., 4i Crystal Palace, 314 Discount Corporation, limited, 101 Egyptian Commercial and Trading, lim., 4 2 Gen. Credit and Finance of Loudon, lim., 74 Hudson's Bay. 18e ; International Financial Society, 12i II Joint•stock Discount, lim., London and Caledonian Marine, lim., 3; London Finanoial Association, litn., 261 London Central Omn i b us Company, 121 London Provincial Marine, 32 3 National Discount Compniy, Jim., 12 North itish and Mercantile Insurance, Bin., 20i Rio (It Janeiro City Improvements, Ditto (4), 4i Thames and Mersey Marine (Insurance), lira., 7 THE BAPTISM OF THE GRAND DUKE PETER, 6011 of the Grand Duke Nicholas, has just taken place at the winter palace. The godfathers were the Emperor, the Grand Duke Constantine, the Grand Duke Nicholas, brother of the young Prince, and Prince Peter of Olden burg.. The godmothers T,Teto the (Iti,)en Dowager of Hol land, ahl the Chan,' DUCh946O3 Helen, Maria, and Olga. TIDE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 25, 1864. POLICE INTELLIGENCE—This Day, MARLBOROUGH-STREET. FIFTY CHARGES OF DESTROYING CLOTHES IN WORE.- HOUSES IN A MONTH.--Not a day has passed for the last few weeks without charges of destroying clothes being brought before the magistrates at this court from St. George's, St. James's, and St. Martin's workhouses, and notwithstanding the magistrates have in all cases sent the offenders to prison for terms of either 21 days or a month, the offence does not appear to be on the decrease. This morning three men were brought before Mr. Knox charged with destroying the clothing, two from St. Martin's and one from St. George's. The prisoners made the usual defence in such cases—that their clothing was dirty, and they destroyed them so as to get others. They were com mitted for 21 days each. Naval and Military Intelligence. THE NAVY. Her Majesty's iron frigate Hector, of 4,123 tons, and 800-horse power of engines, commanded by Captain W. Preedy, C. 8., met with unequivocal success on her final, or " commission," trial of speed on Tuesday, at the measured mile in Stokes Bay, near Portsmouth. The ship weighed her anchor at Spithead by 9 a.m., and soon afterwards Rear- Admiral A• Broadhead, the officer under whose supervision the trial was to take place, accompanied by his staff, Mr. S. Ward, assistant to the Chief Engineer of Portsmouth dockyard, and Mr. G. Murdoch, Inspector of Machinery Afloat, arrived on board. The engines were then turned ahead, and the ship steamed out by the eastern channel to the water way between the Noman and Horse Forts, where she was first tested in making circles with full and half-boiler power, with these results : Full power—helm to starbaard,l2 men at the wheel, revolutions of engines, 571 ; time occupied in get ting up the helm, 27 sec.; angle of rudder, 20 deg. ; turns of wheel, 2,1 ; time in making half-circle, 2 min. 48 sec.; ditto full circle, 5 min. 49 sec.; revolutions of engines, 55. Full-power—helm to port, revolutions of engines, 571 ; time in getting helm up,' 25 sec.; angle of rud der, 26 deg. ; turns of wheel, 2 ; time in making half circle, 2 min. 41 sec. ; ditto full circle, 5 min, 24 sec.; revolutions of engines, 56. With half boiler power the full circle was made to starboard in 6 min. 43 sec., and to port in 5 min. 49 sec. The diameter of the circles was from two and a-half to three times the ship's length, and the ship was steered as a boat. On the conclusion of the circle experiments the ship's head was laid for the trial ground of the measured mile in Stokes Bay to test her at the more important portion of her clay's work, and obtain her average rate of speed under full and half boiler power over the course of the measured mile. The ship was drawing 24ft. 2in. of water forward, now that she was under steam and her anchor stowed, and 25ft. Bin. aft. The wind was light from N.E., the water smooth as a lake, the ship's machinery was working admirably and every thing was in the ship's favour. At full boiler power the results were :—First run—time, 4 min. 44 sec.; speed, 12-676 knoti; steam, 2011 b. ; vacuum 261 ; revolutions of engines, 581. Second run-- time, 5 min. 12 sec. ; speed, 11.538 knots; steam, 221 b ; vacuum, 251 ; revolutions of engines, 59, Third run—time, 4 min. 36 sec. ; speed, 13.043 knots ; steam, 201 b. ; vacuum, 251 ; revolutions of engines, 59. Fourth run—time, 5 min. 13 sec, ; speed, 11.501 knots; steam, 2141 b.; vacuum, 254; revolutions of engines, 59. Fifth run—time, 4 min. 20 sec. ; speed, 13 846 knots; steam, 211 b. ; vacuum, 251 ; revolutions of engines, 591. Sixth run—time, 5 min. 35 see. ; speed, 10.746 knots ; steam, 221 b. ; vacuum, 251 ; revolutions of engines, 591. The mean speed of the six runs was 12158 knots. At half-boiler power the results were :—First run— time, 4 min. 59 sec. ; speed, 12.040 knots ; steam, 211 b.; vacuum, 27; revolutions of engines, 45. Second run—time, 7 min. 6 sec.; speed, 8450 knots; steam, 211 b.; vacuum, 27; revolutions of engines, 48. Third run—time, 4 min. 59 sec ; speed 12.040 knots ; steam, 221 b. ; vacuum, 27 ; revolu tions of engines, 49. Fourth run—time 7 min. 7 sec. ; speed, 8-430 knots ; steam 221 b ; vacuum, 27 ; revolutions of engine© 49. The mean speed of the four runs was 10 . 242 knots. The temperatures were as follow : —ln the first run, on deck, at full power, 38 deg. ; at half-power, 44 deg. In the engine-room—forepart, 74 deg. at full-power, and 74 deg. at ..half-power ; middle, 64 deg. at full power, and 64 deg. at half.power ; aft, 68 deg. at full-power, and 69 deg. at half-power, In the stokehole—forepart, 94 deg. at full-power, and 80 deg. at half-power; middle, 109 deg. at full power, and 108 deg. half; aft, 103 deg. full, 105 deg. half power. In the last runs the maximum temperature in the engine room was 78 deg., and in the stoke hole 124. The Hector by her full power rate of speed takes a position just below the Royal Oak, the actual difference being between 12.358 knots of the Hector and 12.528 knots of the Royal Oak; but she beats both the Defence and the Re sistance. Oa the whole her trials of Tuesday must be considered a great success as compared with her trial previous to being placed in commission, when she only averaged 11.843 knots. The unpleasant yet positive fact, however, remains that this success has only been attained at the cost of the ship's effi ciency. Her armaments has been reduced from 34 to 24 guns, while her cupola furnace for supplying molten iron for shells, her spare fans for the screw, and every other available spare weight have been landed, her coals have been reduced from 440 tons (her complement) to 350 tons, her warrant officers' and other stores in proportion, and her stores of pro visions to only one month's salt and two months' dry. As the Hector will not very probably be sent to a more distant station than the Mediterranean, this short supply of stores and provisions may be of little real moment, as she can fill up at every port she may call in. The loss of the third of her ar mament, however, is, in appearance, a far more serious matter, yet even in this instance, when it is considered ttat the guns on board the Hector only fire cast .'lron projectiles, and are therefore harmless against iron armoured ships, it can be but of little consequence whether she carries one or 50 of such weapons, and the Admiralty have therefore done wisely in sacrificing the ship's guns to her speed. The ship now carries on her main deck 20 95cwt. 68-pounder guns and on her upper deck four 110- pounder rifled Armstrongs, besides her complement of bcat guns, thus carrying no breech-loading guns "..a main-deck. Inboard the ship is in the most per fect order, which reflects the highest possible credit upon Capt. Preedy and his officers, when the short time the ship has been in commission is consi dered. The ship would be officially inspected at Spithead by Vice-Admiral Sir Michael Sey mour, G.b.8., and to-day at daylight she is expected to sail for Portland, where she will meet the Chan nel Fleet on their return from Lisbon. As regards the ship's machinery, none could have worked better tha❑ did the Hector's on Tuesday during the trials. The makers, Messrs. J. Napier and Sons, of Glas • gow, were represented by Mr. J. Brown. The en• gines were in charge of Mr. Dickson, the able engineer of the ship. The ship was very steady under steam, very little vibration of any kind being experienced. The following appointments and promotionshave been made at the Admiralty :—William Donnison, chief•engineer, to the Indus, for the Megmra, when the latter is paid off; N. F. Hockerston, assist.- engineer, to the Asia; Alex. G. Smith, assist...engi neer, to the Dromedary ; William Lawson, in the Styx, and George Duncan, in the Princess Char lotte, promoted to acting first-class assist-engineers; Robert 13. Turner, in the Prince Consort, James A, Shawyer, in the Pylades, Aaron H. Symes, in the Princess Royal, and Edward Chambers, in the Hogue, promoted to first-class assist.-engineers. THE ARMY. The expenditure upon the new cavalry barracks at Colchester to the close of 1863 was £58,645, A vote of £30,000 is proposed to be made in the cur. rent financial year for the further prosecution of the work, and it is calculated that £lO,OOO will bo required in 1865 6. Provision has been made in the Army Estimates for calling out the Militia for 28 days' training. The num ber of men to be called out is 128,969, at an expense of £738,783. SIR JAMES TITATHEsoN has, it is said, during tlio last 20 years, spont upwards of £300,000 in improving the Island of Lewes, - Provident Clerks' Benevolent Fund, ANNUAL MEETING. The twenty-third annual meeting of the sub scribers to the meritorious fund, which is in connec tion with the Provident Clerks' Life Assurance As sociation, was held last night at the London Tavern, Bishopegate-street. John Abel ,Smith, Esq., ItLP., treasurer of the Fund, presided. The following is the annual Xeportp which was read by Mr. W. T. Linford - The Board of Management h ave much pleasure in p. e senting to the members and friends of the fund their 232 annnal report, and in congratulating them on the continued prosperous condition of the institution. The income of the year 1863 was as follows :--From annual subscriptions, £697 4s; life ditto, £2l ; annual subscriptions of ss. and upwards from members being clerks, 1817 8s ; donations, £390 5s 61 ; interest, dividends, &0., £l,OBl 16s 4d : the Provident Clerks' Mutual Life Association, being the proportion of :bonus to December 31, 1862, £2,049; total, £5,056 13s 102. The last-named item, v:z., the bonus from life assurance, will doubtless afford great satisfaction to the members, evincing, as it does, how completely the two institutions mutually act and react to the benefit of each other, and affording to the board at these divisions the opportunity of largely increasing the list of annuitants. By the very handsome contribution rode from this source on the present occasion, the assets of the funds are in creased to £27,868. The sum of £225 15s 61 has been dis tributed in gratuities during past year. Pursuant to the resolution of the last annual general meeting, an election of annuitants took place, on the 28th May last, when the fol lowing were elected, viz. :—One clerk to an annuity of £35, one clerk to an annuity of £3O, four widows to annuities of £2O each, two widows to annuities of £l5 each ; making a total of £175 per annum. Five annuitants having died during the year, viz., four clerks and one widow, and one annuity has been relinquished by a widow, whose cir cumstances no longer require it. There were on the fund on the 31st of December last 65 annni tants, who were receiving collectively £1,195 per annum. The board now recommend that 12 additional annuitants, vis., 4 clerks and 8 widows of clerks, be elected. A resolu tion to the above effect will be submitted to the meeting. The board have deemed it advisable to seek for two other gentlemen, in addition to those at present appointed audi tors; and they have been so fortunate as to secure the ser vices in that_capacity of William Sander Higley, Esq., manager of the London and Westminster Bank, Lothbury, and James Gray, Esq., Chief Accountant to the London and County Bank. The above gentlemen having kindly consented to act, have been provisionally appointed by the board, and their election, in accordance with the rules, will be submitted for confirmation at this meeting The board cannot close this report without expressing the pleasure it affords them thus laigely to increase the number of annui tants. To the merchants and bankers of London especially the fund is deeply indebted for their generous and valuable support, to which the increased subscription list of the last two years bears ample testimony. Many new and impor tant mercantile establishments have arisen during the last few years, and the board hope to see the means of the fund still further increased from this source—but they cannot lose sight of :he fact that the true strength of the fund should be found in the contributions of the clerks them selves,—not only of those to whom the benefits conferred by the fund are of serious moment, but of those who are themselves removed by Providence from the fear of indi gence, and tc whom their less fortunate brethren have a right to look fur sympathy and assistance in their hour of need. The CHAIRMAN said it was a very agreeable duty to ask the members then assembled to receive and adopt the gratifying report just read, and he was sure they would all participate in the pleasurable feelings with which he was then impressed, in living to see the Provident Clerks' Benevolent Association make so great an advancement. (Hear, hear.) He must, however, say that he was sorry the clerks of this great commercial country did not help themselves as they onght,and no one was more convinced than he was, that it did not receive the cordial and general support its istrinsio merits entitled it to. He would not say one word of those to whom a guinea was an object, but he felt there were many, and a very great many, to whom that sum was quite insignifi cant who withheld their subscriptions from the fund. (Hear, hear.) Many a clerk in the pursuit of pleasure did not grudge to give five guineas for a dinner at the Star and Garter at Richmond, yet they did grudge to give one to the Benevolent Fund, whose aim and object was to assist and re lieve their brethren in times of difficulty and misfortune. It could not be because there was no merit in the institution, or that an ill•feeling existed against them, but there appeared to be a reluctance on the part of many in a position to help the association, which was not at all praiseworthy. If he knew how to excite the benevolence of those who yet withheld their support, he should be only too happy to do so, but the great difficulty was that he did not know how to get at them, arid if there were any present that evening who were in a better position with respect, to those of whom he spoke they were at perfect liberty to represent his feelings to them. (Hear, hear.) The Association had in it all that was good and praiseworthy, and having these elements it ought to take its proper position amongst those admirable institutions which were an honour to the English nation. (Hear, hear.) When it was first established he knew its founda tion was sound, and it did give him infinite pleasure to find that since that period it had steadily pro• gressed until its income amounted to over 13,000 per annum. Those who bad contributed to this beneficent end he was sure would feel adequately rewarded by the reflection of the good they had done and the good they Were doing, and not withstanding the god-send t h e y had received from the Provident Cl er k s ' Lif e Assurance Association, he hoped they would all continue to labour for the prosperity of an institution whose object was so pure and praiseworthy. (Cheers.) The motion of the chairman having been seconded, it was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN said, in o r d er to av oid any diffi culty that might arise from th e a b sence at any time of the gentlemen who kindly acted as auditors, the directors had elected two additional gentlemen who had given their valuable support to the institution —viz., William Senders H ig l ey, Dq., manager of the London and Westminst er B an k , L o thbury, and James Gray, Esq., chief accountant of the London and County Bank. The directors had given them a most satisfactory report, and he felt certain the meeting would feel it a pleas ure i n co nfirming an act of theirs—viz., the electi on o f M r . Higley and Mr, Gray as auditors. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr. R. H. /ONES, chairman of the fund, moved a resolution to the effect that, on the 26th of May, or some other day to be appointed, 12 additional annuitants—viz., four clerks an d e i g ht w idows — be added to those already on the f un d. H e said the Bacons that had attend e d t h em d ur i ng th e past year had enabled them to ma k e the grea t addi tion to the list of annuitants mentioned in the reso lution.assent to such a proposition, and h e was certa i n th e y would sanction the proposition It was a gratification to ask t h em t o of the directors. He had drawn out a few statistics to read to them, but he would refrain from doing so, and s imply tell them that in 10 years they had doubled their capi tal—(hear, hear)—that since the commencement they had given ,211,500 to 93 annuitant s , that they had given gratuities of £2,000 and upwards to others, that they had lent £35,000 amongst 1790 members, and that they had lost but about 1 per cent. in the repayments. (Hear, hear.) Mr. WELCH, deputy chairman, said it was with the utmost pleasure ho seconded the resolution, because ho felt it would give comfort and happi ness to these really deserving it. He regretted that the leading clerks of the country abstained ; and alth ou gh he h fr a o d m f g r i e v a i a n e g a t t h l y e m a p t p h e e a i I r e d s u p t p a o r t h t a s 9 holding high positions, he often failed in g e tti ng the guinea- He regretted the small amount they re ceived in annual subscriptions, but he hoped they would increase. He could tot tell why it was, but it was a fact no twithstanding, that scarcely oue of the names of those charitable persons in the higher classes of society appeared in their list. He was quite at a loss to account for such a circumstance, because clerks were concerned in obtaining luxuries from all parts of the world, which were considered necessary to the effluent. Another claim lie thought the clerks had upon the public generally for support was, the large amount they contributed amongst themselves for the relief and support of their more unfortunate brethren. The CHAIRMAN said it was a very agreeable duty to put the resolution to the meeting. lie was not quite sure he agreed with Mr. Welch in his obser vations relative to the absence of the 110,111(13 of the charitable aristocracy from their Hats. (Hear, hear.) He looked upon that already achieve with. very great pride, because it had been done by the city and the clerks themselves. (Cheers.) He thought indeed it was the bounden duty of the clerks to make this institution, as far as they reason ably could, a self-supporting one, and he looked with pride upon its present position. Although he would not quarrel with Mr. Welch if he brought them £l,OOO from the west, or reject the amount, yet he did hope that the clerks themselves would see the great necessity of putting their shoulders to the wheel and thus place their institution in the highest position by their own efforts, (Hear, hear.) The resolution was carried unanimously. mr. L,OYD moved a vote of thanks to the trus tees and treit: urer. He was certain he need not wara , in praise of those gentl emen . say a single They all knew how muckthey owed to them, and :. they also knew what an eh:,eellent friend their treasurer had been. (Cheers.) h . :: was rejoiced that the fund had nearly arrived at tte..`t point to which he wished to see it comp, as they cot,2d now pay their annuitants, within a fraction, from the interest on their invested fund. (Cheers.) He thought if more were given in shape of gratuities, a very beneficial result would follow; and with respect to the higher clerks with holding their support, he thought it arose from the false shame of being put down as clerks that pre vented many from subscribing. He thought if they could surmount that feeling of false pride, all we ild go well. He could not understand a man being ashamed of his position, and he felt that he who was so, would never arrive at a very exalted station in society. Mr. MINTON seconded the motion. He also thought that if more was given in gratuities end relief afforded in sickness, it would greatly iucrease their members. Mr. LINFORD then put the resolution, and de clared it carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN said nothing could be more gra tifying to him than the vote they had just passed. Mr. Baling, one of their trustees, he knew was only kept away by his invitation to the Speaker's dinner, which was a sort of command, and although Baron Rothschild was too ill to attend, he was certain that both he and the other two gentlemen, Mr. Prescott and Mr. Hanku, took the most lively in terest in their welfare and prosperity. (Cheers.) With respect to the observations of Mr. Lloyd, he felt there was much force in them; but he (the chairman) must say that some of his most valued friends had been clerks. (Loud cheers.) It was a very difficult thing to give away money without doing more harm than good; and to insure its being used properly in its distribution the greatest judgment and discre. tion was necessary. And with respect to giving relief in sickness, he thought it a shame and a dis grace for a principal to let a clerk want in sickness. (Loud cheers.) He did not think it was right that the Fund should be expected to stand in place of the duty the principal owed to his suffering employe. At the same time he was glad to be able to assure Mr. Lloyd that every application for aid had been granted after proper examination of the merits of the case. For his own part he should not be afraid to go even a little faster than the board, though they were very right to keep the fund in such a state that annuitants should always be sure of their money. (Cheers.) He found there was nothing on his paper that would afford him an opportunity of returning his thanks to the directors fur the great care they had bestowed on the fund for the past year, so he would be guilty of a little irregularity, and move a vote of thanks to them, trusting to the meeting to'give him a seconder. The motion was immediately seconded by about a dozen gentlemen rising to contend for the honour, and carried unanimously. Mr. JONES, on the part of bis colleagues, returned thanks. Mr. DAWSON moved, and Mr. REYNOLDS se conded a vote of thanks to the auditors, and The CHAIRMAN, in putting the resolution, said he could not over-estimate the value or importance of Mr. Scudamore joining the Fund, occupying as he did so distinguished a position in the Post•office. The motion was carried. Mr. SCUDAMORE said he was almost ashamed of receiving so many thanks for doing so little. He hoped it would, as time progressed, become harder. (Hear.), He had been a clerk all, his life. (Hear.) He entered the Government service as a clerk, and he hoped to do so until he was pensioned and turned off. (Laughter and cheers.) He should like to see all the Government clerks giving their support to the Provident Clerks' Benevolent Fund. Mr, ;Errs moved a vote of thanks to the chair man. Mr. LLOYD, in seconding it, referred to the sub ject of the foundation of a school for the children of clerks, and said he was quite prepared to fulfil the promise he niqde last year, as soon as a committee was appointed. The CHAIRMAN, in acknowledging the vote, said he had not lost sight of the proposition of Mr. Lloyd, and he might depend upon it he would do all in his power to aid him in his praiseworthy endeavour. The proceedings then terminated. THE UNITED STATES SANATORY COMMISSION. — A meeting was held on Saturday evening last, at Messrs. Wheeler and Wilson's, 139, Regent-street--the Hon. Freeman H. Morse, U.S. Consul, in the chair—and which was attEnded by all the principal Americans in Lon don, in order to organise a committee to work in conjunc • tion with one formed in Paris, to obtain subscriptions in money or goods for the great Fair which is to be held in Now York on the 28th of March, for the benefit of the sanatory commission. Judge Winter, in an eloquent speech, explained the object of the society, which is to pant addi tional aid to wounded soldiers, whether Federal or Confe derate, and also to assist in the sanatory arrangements of the army. No doubt thousands of lives have been saved through the efforts of the commission, and thousands more of crippled and wounded soldiers passed on to their homes, and aseisted with money and clothing. More than 70 millions of dollars have been collected in the States for the commis sion since its foundation ; but even this large sum is inadequate to the calls made upon their funds, owing to the immense armies that are in the field, and the unhealthy climate in which some of them are engaged. The Anglo- American Committee, therefore, propose to obtain subscrip tions from Americans residing in England, and from any other parties who are interested in alleviating in some de gree the horrors of this unhappy civil war. Cyrus W. Field, Esq., stated that Mr. Elliott, of the firm of Glass and Elliott, telegraphic cable manufacturers, has offered, with a truly noble /iberality, 1,000 tons of coal, raised from his own collieries, and which ho will transport free to a port for shipment, and no doubt many others will be found to interest themselves in this purely philanthropic measure, which is not a party question, but one of general interest to all who would wish to relieve suffering humanity from what- - ever cause. A subscription list was opened in the room, and a.permanent committee formed, The Hon. F. H. Morse was elected president, C. W.:Field, Esq., R. Hunting, Esq., and Judge Winter, vice-presidents; and Mr. Starr, of the firm of Wheatley and Starr, of Cheapside, hon. secretary and treasurer. Dudley, Esq., U.S. Consul at Liverpool, ex plained to the meeting that Messrs. Guyon ani Co., of that town, had offered to carry by their ships goods in tended for the fair free of all charge, and he (Mr. Dudley), would receive and ship all which wero forwarded to him. Messrs. Wheatley and Starr will receive goods in London, and the treasurer any subscription that may be sent to him. It was also made known that several of the nobility, and many other ladies were engaged in collecting articles for the fair ; amongst others, Miss Fanny Kemble. is making a collection of valuable autographs, which, no doubt, will realise a considerable sum. We hope that those parties who have been doing a large and profitable business with America, will follow:the noble example of Mr. Elliott, and contribute to the necessities of their suffering brethren in the States—putting aside all the party feeling; for, although the United States Government do all that energy and unlimited means will allow, still the private and volun tary aid of the Commission in assisting :the sick and wounded of both parties in the camp, the hospital, and the prison, cannot be overrated ; and thousands on thousands of both Federals and Confederates wilt shower blessings in after years upon this humane work, During the late severe weather it became neces sary to issue an extra allowance of fuel to the troops at Aldershott. The bullion operations at the Bank yesterday comprised an influx of 127,000 in bar gold, and the withdrawal of 82,000 moveroigns for transmis sion to Alexandria. The issue has been announced of the balgrace of the Ottoman Loan of 1863, specially reserved in April last. The present holders have a preferential option of subscribing to this operation in the pro porticn of one new for every three existing bonds. The nomber now to be emitted is 100,000 of £2O each, bearing 6 per cent. interest from the Ist of January last at the price of 66. Business done AMERICA. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) (Per the Jara, via Greencastle.) NEW YORK, FEB. 13, EVENING. By telegraph to Portland' an express train has been captured eight miles from Harper's Ferry, and the passengers robbed. It is not known whether the attack was made by the Confederates or by gangs of Federal deser►ers. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. Money easy. Gold 594 per cent. premium. Ex change on London, 174,1. Stocks very firm. New York Centrali 1334; Illinois, 1311 ; Erie, 1131. Cotton.—Middling upland, 311. Petroleum slightly firmer; crude, 301.- 31. ; refined, 48 49. The steamers America and Edinburgh take out 850,000 dole. in specie. The Proposed Conference on the Dano. German Question. (REUTER'S TELEGRAM.) BERLIN, FEB. 24. It is stated in diplomatic circles that the Conference for the settlement of the Dano-German question was proposed by England, with the concurrence of France, and that the proposal was supported by Russia. Prussia and Austria, as already stated, have accepted the Conference, to which a representa tive of the G3rmanic Diet will be invited. The same Powers have refused, however, to grant an armistice, and hostilities will not be dis continued during the Conference. IMPERIAL FARLIARIENT HOUSE OF COMMONS--Yesterday. The SPEARER took the chair shortly after 12 o'clock. RENTS (IRELAND) BILL. On the motion of Mr. LONGFIELD the order for the second reading of this bill was discharged, with the under standing that the measure should be originated in the House of Lords as previously. LANDED PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT (IRE LAND) ACT AMENDMENT BILL. In consequence of the absence of Irish members at the assizes the second reading _of the bill was postponed until April 27. MALT FOR CATTLE BILL. On the motion for going into committee on this bill, Mr. BASS objected to the measure, and said that its nature was not properly understood through out the country, and was regarded by the farmers with great dissatisfaction. He denied that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had made out a satisfactory case for this bill, The right hon. gentleman said that the duty on beer was 25 per cent., but the farmers calculated that it amounted to 75 per cent., and although he (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) said that the duty en foreign wines which came into competition with beer was from 50 to 100 per cent., he (Mr. Bass) from information received from the highest authorities on this subject in London was led to the con clusion that the duty on the foreign wines amounted to not more than 27 per cent. He (Mr. Bass) therefore submitted that this was a reasonable argument why the duty on beer which the Chancellor of the Exchequer said was 2.5 per cent. should be reduced one half, (Hear, hear.) He was convinced that the measure of the Chancellor of the Exchequer would not prove satisfactory, in whatever light it was regarded, and that the only remedy for the grievance of which the right hon. gentleman complained was to reduce the malt duty one half. Mr. DU CANE said that, during the interval between the present time and the second reading of the bill, he had com municated with his constituency (an agricultural one), who were unanimous with regard to this measure, and their opi nion might be summed up in one word, namely, that the more they looked at it the less they liked it. (Hear, hear.) He considered that if anything was calculated to make male sters rogues this bill would elLetually do it, because it held forth to them a premium for the adulteration of linseed. Before concluding he would quote the words of a poet with whom the right hon. gentleman (the Chancellor of the Ex chequer was familiar : " Timeo Dannas et dona ferextes." (Laughter.) Colonel DICKSON, as the representative of an agricul tural constituency, said he bad not heard. one sound argu ment in favour of the bill. In reference to Ireland, to which allusion had been made on a previous occasion, he contended that the causes to which the agricultural distress in that country might be traced would be aggravated by this mea sure, which bo bound to oppose. Mr. P. URQUITA.RT °apposed. Mr. BEACH support:Ed the bill. Mr. HENLEY considered that the bill would be quite inoperative, and ho protested against its being accepted as an answer to the demand that was made for the reduc tion in the duty on malt, _ _ _ Mr. DODSON said that the bill was introduced merely as an experimental measure, and if it proved successful it would no doubt lead to further facilities for the use of malt as an article of food. Mr. DUTTON approved going into committee, but at the same time considered that the bill was encumbered with difficulties, which were inevitable in dealing with this sub ject. Mr BENTINCK was of opinion that unless!those portions of the bill which provided for the visits of excisemen and for seperate houses for malting were withdrawn, the mea sure ought to be thrown out on the third reading. He did not consider that the bill would satisfy the desire of the public in reference to the malt duty. Mr WALTER was not sanguine as to the success of the bill, but he thought it should have a fair trial. After some further discussion, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER defended the bill. It was said that there was safety in a multi tude of counsellors, and the same might be as • sorted of the multitude of the enemies to this bill who were knocking their heads together as if to ascer tain which were the hardest,- and he had no doubt in the end justice would be done. (Laughter.) The right hon. gentleman ,then combatted at length the arguments against the bill, which were to the eff ct that it was inef ficient, a surrepititious method of getting rid of the desire for the entire repeal of the duty on malt, that it was sur rounded with insuperable obstacles and was dangerous with regard to revenue. Ao related to the latter, the Government were responsible for the raising of the revenue for the public service, and they could not consent to the amendments that were on the paper. He would be most happy to release the forma from excise restrictions, but by doing so in this case ho would be surrendering £5,000,000 revenue. The opinion of farmers was divided in reference to this bill, and although it might not effect all the benefit desirable, he contended that it would do much service, The house than went into committee on the bill. Sir E. DERING moved the following clause :—That it shall be lawful for all persons engaged in agriculture to malt barley (according to the provisions of the act) for the consumption of their own stook, without taking out a maltster's licence, but it was subsequently postponed. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he would move that the Chairman should now report pro gress, and he proposed to proceed with the committee next Friday, but not at an hour that would be inconvenient. The house then resumed. INSANE PRISONERS ACT AMENDMENT BILL. This bill was read a third time and passed. Tho house adjourned at a quarter past 3 o'clock. THE NATIONAL POLISH LEAGUZ.—A general meeting of the members of this league was held last evening at the Whittington Club, Strand—Mr. Edmond Beales in the chair. Mr. J. It. Taylor, the hon. secretary read a mass of correspondence from all parts of the country, breathing a spirit of sympathy for Poland, amongst other letters from the Earl of Shaftesbury, and from H. Datrone, secretary to the Polish Central Committee in Paris. He also reported the receipt of a large number of extensively signed petitions in favour of tho recegnition of the bellige rent rights of Poland, and that a great number were still in circulation throughout the 'United Kingdom. When these were all collected stops would be taken to get them pre sented to Parliament at a favourable opportunity. The usual routine business of the league having been transacted, the chairman said he desired to put the league in possession of the latest authentic news he had received from Poland. It would, of course, not be wise for him to enter into details, but he could state upon authority that the insurrection was now in a more hopeful state than it had been at any time since its commencement. The whole nation—aristo cracy, middle classes, and the peasantry —were now united as one man, and early in the spring a numerously and well equipped Polish national army would be in the field ready to take advantage of those complications which must of necessity arise in Europe during- the next few'monthe. An outbreak in Italy and Hungary might be looked for at any moment, and the Polish leaders were watching events, although not idle, as the telegrams would inform them. Ho hoped that before three months had passed away the cause of Polish nationality would be on the eve of its triumph. (Loud cheers) A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting. THE EMPEROR or RUSSIA is said to be expected in Be►lin ere long. Brighton 2 Brighton Club Lewes Reading Egham Oxford .. 18 Yarmouth SE PTE: Weymouth Warwick September 6 Leicester .. 8 Doncaster .. Bream .. 19 OCT, Northallerton 6 Newmarket second Oct lO York August 23 Plymouth Derby Lichfield 3O Stockton Devon and Exeter Richmond Monmouth 22 Manchester Autumn Newmarket First October 27 IBER. Gloucester Newmarket Houghton 24 NOVEMBER. Shrewsbury Autumn .. 14 I Worcester Autumn 30 Leamington & War. Hunt 22 STEEPLECHASING FIXTURES FOR 1864. MARCH. Grand Military (Rugby Hunt).. l4 APRIL. Ab ergavenny NOVEMBER. Leamington and Warwickshire Hunt 22 The Price of Gold. The quotation of gold at Paris is about 4 per mine pm., and the short exchange on London is 25.35 per £1 sterling. On comparing these rates with the English Mint price of £3 17s. 100. per ounce for standard gold, it appears that gold is about 3-10ths per cent. dearer in London than in P ar i s . By ads ices fromllamburg the price of gold is 4231 per mark and the short exchange on London is 13.41 per .C 1 sterling,, Standard gold at the English hint price is, therefore, rather more than 2-10ths per cent. dearer in London than in Ham burg, The course of exchange at New York on London for bills at 60 days' sight is 174 to 175 per cent., and the premium on gold is about b 0 per cent. At these rates there is a profit on the importation of gold from the United States. TRAFFIC RECEIPTS FOR THE WEEK. Miles Opened. Receipts. Railways. 1863. 17874 T. 1863: 4 £ £ Belfast and N. Counties 136 136 1,815 1.712 Belfast and County Down 49 49 (61 665 Myth and Tne 2B 28 1,331 1,458 Bristol and Exeter l2ll 1211 5,073 5,268 Caledonian Cockermouth & Workington Bl 81 Cork and Bandon 2O 20 280 !i0.3 Cork, B/ackrock, & Passage.• • 61 61 112 154 Cork and Youghai .. 321 321 357 317 Cornwall 651 51 1,368 1,108 Deeside l7 17 246 219 Dublin & Belfast J unction 63 63 1,21;8 1,258 Dublin and Drogheda 75 63 1,466 1,521 Dublin and Meath Dub. & Wicklow and Woad 9ll 481 2,116 1.552 Edinburgh and Gllasgow 1691 16'4 7,625 6,981 Furness, &c 5O 5 ) 3,033 2,691 Glasgow & South-Western Gt. Eastern,Nrik.,&E.Union __ _ 1304. Great Northern 353 351 28,691 25:779 Great North of Scotland 5B 5t3 1,583 1,602 tit. Northu. & Westn. (Irel.) 7ll 711 401 460 Gt.Southn. & Westn.(lrind.) 3731 329 6,963 6,991 Great Western „ 10561 10321 55,216 52.177 . . _ Inverness & Aberdeen June 86i 862 t 316 Inverness & Perth Junction 119.1 913 Irish North-Western 145 145 1,5.46 1,695 Lancashire & Yorkshire 402 395* 34,657 31,150 Limerick and Ennis... 24/ 24f 154 175 Limerick and Foynes 26i 262 153 139 Llanelly 461 461 500 446 London & North-Western London and Blackwall 5 51 1,612 1,655 London & South-Western Loud. Brighton, &S. Coast 251/ 2612 13,763 15 ,t 08 Loudon. Chatham, & Dover 72} 72} 3,510 2 7 10 Do. aletropolitan Extension 102 5} t 25 9- --, 0 Loud., Tilbury, & Southend Alan,,Sheflield,& Lincolnsh Manch. 5...1 un.& Altrincham 9 Maryport and Carlisle 23 14 54 , 4 Oi 1,147 3,otiC) Metropolitan Midland (incl. N.-Western) 641 6,3 u 1461 2092 13,169 38,943 The last week's raiLway receip ts, ascertained up fo this day, are, in round figur es , as under : 1864. 1863. G rea t 'Western .................... £53,463 L 50,243 North-Western ............ South-Western ............. 16,952 17,091 Brighton ......... ................ South Eastern Great Northern Lancashire and Yorkshi re..• Bristol and Exete r ...... 5,219 5,236 Great Eastern North Eastern Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire 16,255 14,249 Midland and Great Western of Ireland 8,443 8,n9 Glasgow and South-Western returns, compared with those of the aim° Period of last year, are with one or two exceptions very favourable. On the pleasua. - e IIIICU there is a falling off—viz., on the Brighton of £143, on the South Western of £ 132, and on the South Eastern of £264. The Great Western, however, shows an 5 1, a : sln9ha t och.; Yorkshire ehoi G ert.: r :N e s h a o t irrt N eh of o j r ?, a t h sxt e e3 i , n 6n2v o or t , : increase of £3,225, the North Western of £8,164 ; xt t £ h h 3 4 e :, o 7 G6 2 . ; 7l : i , adtttlhha the Manchester, ;Midla=nd xis a ta n o enr f c en a oe 3 sf i t r 3 e e £ : and L £2,015, and the Glacgow and SouthlinVceosltne;:rfi of 1241. AN A LYSIS OF TUESDAY'S DIVISION: Tile on l 7 English " Liberals," says a morning contemporary, who voted against the Government in the above, impottant division were Messrs. Lindsay , Roebuck, and Sir U. Clif ton. These were joined by fear Irish "Libor:Ts," Sulli- vir.., M essrs. J. Blake, M. Hassard, van. Among those w ho voted with the Govern ment wero Govern ment and E. five Conservatives, viz., Col. ADnesley, .Antrobus, T Baring, C. W. Finch, and IL. E. Harvey. ger M ald r. Diassraeli did went into the lobby with mr. Seymour F L or d St an ley- Mr. Bent i n ck, who nowsits below the gang way on the Cons.crvativo side, inste:ld of Love the way, as on previon; sessicn9, and Mr. NcWdegae absent, ABOUT THE ENGLISH OP IT. From the Daily News of this morning we ex tract the following admirable comment on this vaunted acceptance by Austria and Prussia of tho proposition of a Conference in London. Another exemplification of Lord Russell's delight in playing his favourite part of "Moonshine."— " When the Times of yesterday arrives at Berlin and Vienna, the statesmen of Austria. and Prussia will perceive how wise they were to reject Lard Palmerston's proposal of an armistice. It is plain now that they knew exactly the man with whom they had to deal, end the event shows that it would have been sheer waste of amiability to grant that request vs hen, at the price of the most airy of concessions, and without pausing in their iniquitous career, they could obtain the full reward of moderation and virtue. Their unjust invasion is to be maintained, the butchery in Schleswig. is to go on, and the mere consent of Austria and Prussia to send two diplomatists to talk about the affairs of Denmark is accepted by Loid. Palmerston as a proof that, after all, those Powers are righteous and just. And not only so, but this notable compliance, it ap. pears, is held to be a great triumph of British influ ence, one which is to silence the Patric and confound the Charivari. Let us hope so. Meanwhile, we sup posethat there was some seriousnessin the eloquence with which Ministers have been denouncing the violent outrage' of Austria and Prussia; and let it be noted that the discovery that those Powers recognise the principles that this country has up held,' and acknowledge themselves responsible to English opinion in their acts, is made before they have given the least sign that they are disposed to desist from their flagitious course of action. The case is a very simple one. The burglars are in pos session of every room in the house except the garret. We have been lustily crying out Thieves ! Police !' when suddenly it is announced with rapturous delight as an immense gain and triumph, that at our earnest request the robbers have consented to detach one of the gang to talk over the little affair with us—the burglary to go on in the meantime. Such is the state of things for whioh we are now told wo ought to be grateful; and no doubt it well becomes Ministers to be thankful for small mercies;" SPORTING INTELLIGENCE—TIiis Day. HUNGERFORD RACES—THIS DAY. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) These races are postponed until to-morrow. The snow two inches deep. RACING FIXTURES FOR 1864. MARCH. Nottingham Spring 1 Derby Spring 3 Liverpool Shrewsbury . lO Doncaster Spring Warwick .. 1G Durham Northampton 29 Catterick .. 30 AP: Croxton-park Edinburgh Spring 2 Abergavenny Thirsk 5 Epsom Spring Newmarket Craven Newmarket First Spring 2,5 Cheater .. 3 York Spring Salisbury l2 Bath 'anchester Harpenden Epsom .. 21 Ascot .. Hampton l5 Newton Odiham Bibury Stockbridge Newmarket July I Carlisle Abingdon Liverpool July Stamford Pontefract Chelmsford 23 New Forest Hunt 2B Newcastle-on-Tyne 28 Worcester (Summer) Ipswich Nottingham , Winchester l9 Southampton .. 2O Chesterfield Goodwood AUGUST. ;MBER. Ler l''' of ;e t st., 11;0 stet Dg, ich sed er ~. to 5 °13 tO ;dare; t&14.1 3.4.0 12.10 -4ti art 466 - sk 1 20 , 00 ioo too stock stock stock 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 stook stock stock st ock rook 2? 2i 103 1 101 i